Police in Florida have released a new image and new details about a vehicle they say may have been used in the murder of a law professor who was raised in Toronto.
It’s been nearly a year since Florida State University’s Daniel Markel was gunned down in his home on July 18, 2014. Police do not believe his death was related to a robbery and have called it a targeted killing.
On Friday, the Tallahassee Police Department released an image of a vehicle that is much clearer than a still of a car they shared nearly a year ago. Police also announced a $100,000 reward offer from an unnamed source.
Police believe the vehicle is a Toyota Prius with a model year between 2006 and 2009 and some distinctive markers.
Tallahassee Public Information Officer David Northway said the Prius may have a toll transponder on the windshield, rear-view mirrors that are two different colours (suggesting one was replaced) and a missing tow-bolt cover on the driver’s-side front bumper.
Tallahassee police released this image of a Toyota Prius wanted in connection with the July 2014 death of Daniel Markel.
The colour is ‘Silver Pine Mica,’ which may, depending on the light, appear either light green or metallic.
“What we’re thinking is that this (vehicle) may have been used by the perpetrator in the crime and then returned to the owner, unknown to the owner,” Northway said in a video posted online.
Northway also announced a $100,000 reward is being offered by an “independent source” for any information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or people responsible.
That reward is on top of an award of up to $25,000 previously offered through Crime Stoppers for anonymous tips.
“Our violent crimes unit has an investigator assigned to the case full time and he is continuing to follow up on all leads that are coming in through our tip line,” Northway added.
Markel was a well-respected legal academic and blogger. His work was published in several law journals, and in the New York Times, the Atlantic, Slate and the Jerusalem Post.
The father of two, who was in his early 40s, had recently gone through a divorce from his ex-wife.
With files from CTV Toronto
